Strings

[Thunderbolt]

What are those strings I see sometimes wrapped around the base of the crown at the bottom of the ribbon? They look like they use a slip knot with a bead, cork, or a piece of rubber on the end of it. What is the purpose of these strings? Is it ornamental like the ribbon? Thanks!

 

[Sefton]

They are to hold your hat on in the wind. I believe they are called "wind trolleys"

 

[Veronica Parra]

In the days when just about all men rode horses (or buggies) and wore hats, those strings were used to attach your hat to a button on the back of your jacket collar. This way, your hat wouldn't land on the ground if it flew off your head. The string, like the lapel buttonhole, is a surviving relic of the 19th century.

There's an early Norman Rockwell cover for the "Saturday Evening Post" that shows a young man in a bowler hat. The hat's string is clearly fastened to the collar of the man's coat.

Some hunting prints also show the string in use.

 

[Thunderbolt]

Ahhh...

Sort of like how the bow on the sweatband at the back is a relic of the reneccaunce(sp). It was a draw string for size adjustment.

 

[Andykev]

Not relics,

Sort of like how the bow on the sweatband at the back is a relic of the reneccaunce(sp). It was a draw string for size adjustment.

Not at all. Nope. Two different things. The bow on the back has had many different explainations: skull / crossbones analogy re: mercury used in hats, the older hats were "size adjustable" and this was the end of the cord, and simply a decorative trim to show the wearer the center of the hat for proper placement.

The wind trolly or wind catcher is just that, and cord to loop into your lapel to keep the hat from blowing off and down the street, into the Bay, or lake.

Very functional.

 

[Thunderbolt]

Thanks everybody!